Zvjezdana Vrzić

Limba de saka zi
Everyday Language
Everyday expressions in the
Vlaški and Žejanski language

2011
 Author:
Zvjezdana Vrzić, Ph.D.
Editors:
Zvjezdana Vrzić, Robert Doričić
Translation from Croatian to Vlaški and Žejanski:
Valnea Smilović, Mauro Edi Doričić, Renata Doričić
Žejanski read by:
Mauro Edi Doričić, Renata Doričić
Production:
Boris Rakamarić
Publisher:
Tragovi / Traces, Association for research and
documentation of languages and cultures of Istria and Kvarner
Design:
Vesna Rožman
Printing:
Tisak Zambelli, Zigo, Rijeka

We would like to thank the Region of Istria, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of
Croatia, Municipality of Matulji, and Primorsko-goranska Region for the finan-
cial support provided to this project. All proceeds from the sale of this program
will benefit the community organizations devoted to the documentation and pre­
servation of this endangered language.

Copyright © Tragovi, 2011

CIP record available at the Rijeka University Library

under the number 120829075
ISBN 978-953-55781-1-6


Introduction
This phrasebook contains all the Vlaški (Vlashki) and Žejanski (Zhey-
anski) words and phrases recorded on the accompanying audio CD, as
well as their translations into English. The audio CD and this booklet
offer more than 500 words and everyday expressions in this unique
and endangered language of the Croatian region of Istria. By using
this program and learning some of the words and expressions it pro-
vides, you can contribute to the language’s preservation.
The development of this programs is part of the activities of the Pre-
servation of the Vlaški and Žejanski Language project. This project,
conceived and coordinated by Zvjezdana Vrzić, is carried out by the
Tragovi / Traces Association in cooperation with the Ethnographic
Museum of Istria.

About the language

The Vlaški or Žejanski language is a Balkan Romance language. It is
spoken in several villages and hamlets around Šušnjevica, Brdo and
Žejane, in the northeastern region of the Croatian peninsula of Istria.
In the southern villages around Šušnjevica, people usually call their
language Vlåški (Vlashki or Vlach), and in the northern village of
Žejane, they use the term Žejånski (Zheyanski). These are two close
variants of a language that is known under the name "Istro-Romanian"
in Romance linguistics. This term was introduced by linguists about
a hundred years ago to suggest the language's historical connection to
Romanian. For more information about this endangered language and
the project of its documentation and preservation, visit the project’s
website at www.vlaski-zejanski.com.


 Pronunciation

In this phrasebook, the Vlaški and Žejanski language is written using a

modified Croatian orthography. The following is the list of letters used
that either do not exist in English or are pronounced differently in Vlaški
and Žejanski than they would be in English: a (always as u in cup), c (as
ts in bats), č (as ch in chip), ć (similar to ch in chip, but much softer), đ
(as j in Jim), e (always as e in bed), g (always as g in gong), i (always
as ee in feet), j (as y in yoke), lj (similar to lli in million), nj (similar to
ni in onion), o (similar to a in ball), r (rolled r), š (as sh in shirt), u (as
oo in fool but shorter and cut off), and ž (as si in television). The conso-
nant g is pronounced as a hoarse, fricative g in the Žejanski variant of the
language, similar to the pronunciation of g in Castillian Spanish amigo
(friend). In addition, three special vowel letters are used to write Vlaški
and Žejanski.

Letter Pronunciation Example

A rounded back vowel between a i
å åb (white)
o. Similar to au in caught.

â Similar to a in above. ân (in)

ę Similar to a in cat. sęra (evening)

Please refer to the Istrorumunjsko-hrvatski rječnik (s gramatikom i tek-

stovima [Istro-Romanian – Croatian dictionary (with the grammar and
texts)] by August Kovačec for a more detailed and technical account of
the language’s sound system.


1 Greetings
Good morning. Bura domaręca.
Hello. (lit., Good day.) Bura zi. / Bura zija.
Good evening. Bura sęrę.
Good-bye. / Bye. Ku domnu. / Domnu ku tire.
See you. Se ren vedę.1 / Na rem vedę. (Ž)2
Ren se vedę maj kâsno.;
See you later.
Datunče na rem vedę. (Ž)
Se ren vedę mâre.;
See you tomorrow.
Na rem vedę mâre. (Ž)
Se ren vedę åta šetimana.;
See you next week.
Na rem vedę åt ćedân. (Ž)
2 Thank you and please
Please. Rogu te. / Rogu va.3 (informal/formal)
Thank you. Huåla.
Thank you very much. Huåla mušåta. / Čuda huåla.
You’re welcome. De nič.; De niš. (Ž)
Yes, thank you. Ja, huåla.
No, thank you. Ne, huåla.
Škužę-m. / Škužęjc âm. (informal/formal);
Sorry. / Excuse me. Oprostę-m. / Oprostic âm.
(informal/formal) (Ž)
M-je žå. / M-je ćåro žå.;
I’m sorry. / I’m very sorry.
Žå m-je. / Jåko m-je žå. (Ž)
That’s alright. Âj bire. / Bire-j.
It doesn’t matter. Nu portę.; Nu-j våžno. (Ž)
Excuse me? / Pardon me? (lit., Nu t-am avzit. / Nu v-am avzit.
I didn’t understand you.) (informal/formal)
Here you are. Nå-c. / Nå va. (informal/formal)

 3 Starting a conversation
Če tu ganešti vlåški? / Če voj ganęjc
Do you speak Vlaški / vlåški? (informal/formal);
Žejanski? Â tu kuvinci žejånski? / Â voj ku-
vintåc žejånski? (Ž) (informal/formal)
Yes. Ja.; Â. (Ž)
No. Ne.
limba po vlåški / vlåška limba;
Vlaški/Žejanski language
limba po žejånski / žejånska limba
in Vlaški / Žejanski po vlåški / po žejånski
Croatian hâruåcki
Italian taljånski
English merikanski / ingleški
German đârmaneški / tedeški; nimški (Ž)
French francuski
I speak... Ganes...; Kuvintu... (Ž)
Ganes po vlåški.;
I speak Vlaški / Žejanski.
Kuvintu po žejånski. (Ž)
I don’t speak well. Nu ganes bire.; Nu kuvintu bire. (Ž)
I speak a little. Ganes zålik.; Kuvintu o mârva. (Ž)
I understand. Kapes. / Razumes.; Âncelegu. (Ž)
Nu kapes. / Nu razumes.;
I don’t understand.
Nu âncelegu. (Ž)
What did you say? Č-aj zis? / Č-ac zis? (informal/formal)
Tell me... Ziče-m... or Zi-m... / Zičec âm... (infor-
mal/formal)
I don’t know. Nu štiv.; Nu šću. (Ž)
What does that mean? Če-j sta? / Če-j ačå? / Če ra sta fi?
How do you say...? Kum se ziče...?

4 Introductions
What’s your name?
My name is Marija.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you, too.
(lit., Me too. )
Mrs., Ma’am
Miss
Mr., Sir
This is my friend. (male)
This is my friend. (female)
How are you?
Fine, thanks.
So so.
I’m not doing too well.
And you?
Kum te kljemi? / Kum ve kljemåc?;
Kum va kljemåc? (Ž) (informal/formal)
Jo me kljemu Marija. /
Kljemu me Marija.
M-je drågo te kunošte. / M-je drågo
ve kunošte. (informal/formal);
Drågo m-je kunošte te. / Drågo m-je
kunošte va. (Ž) (informal/formal)
Anke mije. / Ši mije. (Ž)
šinjora / gospa
šinjorina
šinjor / gospodinu
Čåsta-j me prijåtelj.;
Čåsta-j a mev prijåtelj. (Ž)
Čåsta-j mę prijåteljica.;
Čåsta-j a mę prijåteljica. (Ž)
Kum šti? / Kum ste?;
Kum âš? (Ž) (informal/formal)
Bire, huåla.
Šå šå.; Ašå ašå. (Ž)
Nu sâm bire.
E tu? / E voj? (informal/formal)

 5 Welcoming guests
Viro nuntru! /
Come in!
Virec nuntru! (informal/formal)
Welcome! Bire ac verit!
Thanks for coming! Huåla k-aj verit! / Huåla k-ac verit!
(informal/formal)
Čâšnę te! / Čâšnic ve! (informal/formal);
Have a seat!
Šez! / Šedec! (Ž) (informal/formal)
What would you like to Če ver bę? / Če vec bę? (informal/formal) /
drink? Če ver popi? / Če vec popi? (informal/formal)
Če ver pojdi? / Če vec pojdi? (informal/for-
What would you like to eat? mal); Če ver mânkå? / Če vec mânkå? (Ž)
(informal/formal)
Help yourself! Lę nušte! / Lajec nušte! (informal/formal);
(lit., Take [something]!) Vlę! / Vlåc! (Ž) (informal/formal)
Viro nåzad! / Virec nåzad! (informal/formal);
Come again!
Viro ânka! / Virec ânka! (Ž) (informal/formal)

6 Getting to know each other

Where do you live? Juva biveš? / Juva bivęjc? (informal/formal)
Where are you from? Dende šti? / Dende ste?; Dende âš? (Ž)
(informal/formal)
I live... Bives...
...in Rijeka. ...ân Rika.
...in Trieste. ...ân Târst.
...in Croatia. ...ân Hâruåcka.
...in Italy. ...ân Tålije.
...in America. ...ân Merike.; ...ân Merika. (Ž)
What do you do? Če voj lukråc? (formal)

I go to school.
I work.
Where do you go to school?
I go to school in Rijeka.
Where do you work?
I work in Rijeka.
How old are you?
I’m thirty three years old.
Where were you born?
I was born in Šušnjevica.
When were you born?
I was born on the
24th of July, 1965.
When is your birthday?
My birthday is on the
8th of February.
Meg ân škola.; Meg ân šula. (Ž)
Jo lukru.
Juva tu meri ân škola?;
Juva tu mež ân šula? (Ž) (informal)
Jo meg ân škola ân Rika.;
Jo meg ân šula ân Rika. (Ž)
Juva tu lukri? / Juva voj lukråc?
(informal/formal)
Jo lukru ân Rika.
Kâc ånj åri? / Kâc ånj årec?;
Kâc ånj avec? (Ž) (informal/formal)
Åm trideset ši trej ånj.
Juva-j fost naskut/naskuta? (masculine
/ feminine informal) / Juva-c fost naskut /
naskuta? (masculine/feminine formal); Juva
t-aj tu rodit? / Juva v-ac voj rodit? (Ž)
(informal/formal)
Jo-m fost naskuta ân Šušnjęvica.
(feminine); Fakut m-am ân Šušnjęvica. (Ž)
(feminine or masculine)
Kân aj tu fost naskut? / Kân ac voj fost
naskut? (informal/formal masculine); Kând
t-aj tu rodit?/Kând v-ac voj rodit? (Ž)
(informal/formal masculine or feminine)
Jo sâm naskuta de dvajset ši påtru de
žetvenjak de miljår devetsto šezdeset ši
činč. (feminine); Rodit m-am de dvajset ši
påtru juli ân tisuć devetsto šezdeset ši
pete. (Ž) (masculine or feminine)
Kân âj te rojendan? /
Kân âc je rojendan? (Ž) (informal)
Me rojendan âj na osân de sičân.;
A mev rojendan je na opt febråra. (Ž)

 Who are your parents?
My parents are Franka and
Pepo.
I am Franka‘s child, from the
Roto family.
I am from the Martinina
family.
My mother’s name is Ana.
My father’s name is Edo.
My mother is from Brdo.
My father is from Jesenovik.
They are from Žejane.
Have you ever been to Istria?
Do you often go to Croatia?
I’ve never been there.
I go every year.
I go every couple of years.
I’ve just returned.
I am...
...American.
...Croatian.
10
Lu kuj šti tu?; A kuj âš tu? (Ž) (informal)
Melj måje ši čåče sku Frånka ši Pepo.;
A melj måja ši čåja-s Frånka ši Pepo. (Ž)
Jo sâm lu Frånka lu Roto.
Jo sâm lu Martinina.
Mę måja se kljęma Ana.;
A mę måja se kljęma Ana. (Ž)
Me čåče se kljęma Edo.;
A mev čåja se kljęma Edo.
Mę måja âj din Bârdo.;
A mę måja je din Bârdo. (Ž)
Me čåče âj din Jesenovik.;
A mev čåje je din Jesenovik. (Ž)
Jelj sku din Žejân.;
Jelj âs din Žejân. (Ž)
Č-aj tu fost kânuå ân Istrija?;
Aj kânduå fost ân Jistra? (Ž)
Če tu meri na gusto ân Hâruåcka?;
Mež na gusto ân Hâruåcka? (Ž)
Jo n-åm svojni fost kolę.;
Jo n-åm fost nikad kolę. (Ž)
Jo meg sakile ån.
Jo meg saki påru de ånj.;
Jo meg sakih pår ånj. (Ž)
Jo-m jušto verit nåsta.;
Akmo-m verit. (Ž)
Jo sâm...
...Merikån / Merikånka. (masculine/feminine)
...Hâruåt / Hâruåtica. (masculine/feminine)
...English. ...Inglež / Ingleškinja. (masculine/feminine)
...French. ...Francuz / Francuskinja. (masculine/feminine)
...Italian. ...Taljån / Taljånka. (masculine/feminine)
...Đârmanež / Đârmaneškinja. (masculine/
...German. feminine; Nimcu / Nimkinja. (Ž) (masculine/
feminine

7 Question words
Who? Čire?
What? Če?
Where? Juva?
When? Kân? / Kând?
Why? Zåč?; Kę? (Ž)
How? Kun?; Kum? (Ž)
Which one? Kårle / Kåra / Kåro?
(masculine/feminine/neuter)
Whose? Lu čire?; A kuj? (Ž)
Kakov / kakova / kakovo? (masculine/femi-
What kind? nine/neuter); Kumile / kuma / kumo? (Ž)
(masculine/feminine/neuter)
Where from? Dende? / De juva?
To whom? Lu kuj? / A kuj?
From whom? De čire?
At whose place? La čire?
How long? Kâte vręme?; Kât cåjt? (Ž)
Kât lårgo?;
How far?
Kât depårte? / Kât lungo? (Ž)
How much? Kât?
How many? Kâc? / Kâte? (masculine/feminine plural)
What is this? Če-j sta?
11
 8 Family
family familija
relatives rod / rodvina
child, children čeljådu, čeljåda; fečor, fečori (Ž)
daughter, daughters filja, filje
step-daughter, step-daughters påstorka, påstorke
son, sons filj, filji
step-son, step-sons påstorâk, påstorki
granddaughter,
nuka, nuke; unuka, unukele (Ž)
granddaughters
grandson, grandsons nuk, nuki; unuk, unuki (Ž)
siblings (lit., brothers and sisters) fråci ši surârle
parents (lit., mother and father) måja ši čåče; måja ši čåja (Ž)
grandparents (lit., grandfather
nona ši nono
and grandmother)
mother, mom måja, mama
step-mother måćeha
father, dad čåče / čåja / ćåća
step-father oćuh
grandfather nono / čåja betâru
grandmother nona / måja betâra
sister, sisters sora, surârle
brother, brothers fråte, fråtele / fråci
cousin, cousins (male) kujin, kujini; zârmån, zârmåni (Ž)
cousin, cousins (female) kujina, kujine; zârmåna, zârmåne (Ž)
teta, tete / tetele (mother’s or father’s side);
aunt, aunts strina, strinele (father’s side) /
ujna, ujnele (mother’s side) (Ž)

12
 bårba, bårbi (mother’s or father’s side); ujâc,
uncle, uncles ujci (mother’s side); stric, stricurle / strici
(Ž) (father’s side)
nipot, nipoti; de fråte filj, de fråte filji
nephew, nephews (brother’s side); de sora filj, de sora filji (Ž)
(sister’s side)
nipota, nipote; de fråte filja,
niece, nieces de fråte filje (brother’s side); de sora filja,
de sora filje (Ž) (sister’s side)
husband, husbands omu, omi / omurle
wife, wives muljåra, muljårle / muljerle
mother-in-law sokra
father-in-law sokru
brother-in-law kunjådo
sister-in-law kunjåda
widow udovica
widower udovâc
boyfriend fråjâr
girlfriend fråjârica
groom špožo
bride špoža / nevęsta
best man kum / diver
maid of honor kuma
godfather kum de kârćenje / kumpår
godmother kuma de kârćenje / sutla / botra
ancestors noštri stårci; a nostri betâri (Ž)

13
 9 On the phone
What’s your telephone
number?
My number is...
Could I speak with Ivan?
Is Ivan home?
He’s not here.
She’s not at home.
They went out.
May I leave a message?
I’d like to leave a message
Sure. / Yes.
Ask him to call me. /
Ask her to call me.
I’ll call him later. /
I’ll call her later.
14
Če-j će / ve lumeru de telefon? (informal/
formal); Karle-j a tev / a vostru broj de
telefon? (Ž) (informal/formal)
Me lumer âj...;
A mev broj de telefon je... (Ž)
Če pok ganęj ku Ivan?;
 pok kuvintå ku Ivan? (Ž)
Če-j Ivan akåsa? / Je Ivan ân kåsa? (Ž)
Je nu-j ånča.
Jå nu-j akåsa.
Jelj av mes afåra. / Mes-av afåra.
Če pok laså sporuka?;
Pok laså poruka? (Ž)
Ręš laså sporuka. / Laså ręš poruka.
Siguro. / Ja.
Ântręba-l neka me kljęma. /
Ântręba vo neka me kljęma.
Jo voj âl kljemå maj kâsno. /
Jo voj vo kljemå maj kâsno.;
Jo-l voj kljemå datunče. /
Jo voj vo kljemå datunče. (Ž)
10 Needs and feelings
Jo sâm hlamunda (hlamund). (feminine [masculine])
I’m hungry.
/ M-je fome. / Fome m-je.
Sâm pljira (pljir). (feminine [masculine]);
I’m full.
Namânkåt m-am. (Ž)
I’m thirsty. M-je sęte. / Sęte m-je.
I’m cold. M-je råče. / Råče m-je.
I’m hot. M-je kåd. / Kåd âm je.
I’m tired. Trudna (trudân) sâm. (feminine [masculine])
I’m rested. Jo sâm počinita (počinit). (feminine [masculine])
I’m afraid. Jo-m frika. / M-je frika. / Frika m-je.
Jo sâm kuntenta (kuntenât). (feminine [masculine]) ;
I’m happy.
Jo sâm de bura volje. (Ž)
I’m sad. Jo sâm žålosna (žålosân). (feminine [masculine])
I’m bored. Jo sâm štufa (štuf). (feminine [masculine])
I’m worried. Sekirujs me.
I’m angry. Jo sâm jådna (jådân). (feminine [masculine])
I’m excited. Uzbudita (Uzbudit) sâm. (feminine [masculine])
I’m surprised. Iznenadita (Iznenadit) sâm. (feminine [masculine])
I like... Me pjažę... / Mire pjažę...; Dopadę mi se... (Ž)
Nu me pjažę... / Mire nu pjažę...;
I don’t like...
Nu mi se dopadę... (Ž)
Rabę-m... / Mije rabę... /
I need...
Triba m-je...
Nu-m rabę... / Mije nu rabę... /
I don’t need...
Nu m-je triba...
I want... / I wish... Jo vresu... / Jo ręš vrę...

15
 I don’t want... /
Jo nu vresu... / Jo nu ręš vrę...
I don’t wish...
May I have (some) Če pok vę (zålik de) åpa?;
water? Â pok avę (ân lik de) åpa? (Ž)
I would like to go. Jo ręš råda męre.; Jo ręš råd ji. (Ž)
I’d like to see Mario. Råd(a) ręš vedę Mario.
What do you need? Če va rabę?
Rogu te, aduče-m... /
Please bring me...
Rogu va, adučec âm... (informal/formal)
I’m looking for... Jo čeru...
I don’t feel well. Nu me åvdu bire.
Jo sâm bolna (bolân). (feminine [masculine]) /
I’m sick.
Bolna (Bolân) sâm. (feminine [masculine])
Sâm trupita (trupit). (feminine [masculine]);
I’m hurt.
Sâm bušita (bušit). (Ž) (feminine [masculine])
...hurts. Me dore... / Dore me...
I have a headache. Kåpu me dore.
My tooth hurts. /
Dintele me dore. / Dinci me doru.
My teeth hurt.
My stomach hurts. Štumigu me dore.
I feel dizzy. Kåpu mi se vrtę.
My arm hurts. Mâra me dore.

16
11 Getting around
Where is... Juva-j...
...the bus stop? ...štacionu de kurjera?
...štacionu de måkina;
...the railway station?
štacionu de mašina? (Ž)
...vostra vetura?;
... your car?
...a vostra vetura? (Ž)
...the restaurant? ...oštarija? / konoba?
...the post office? ...pošta?
...the bank? ...bånka?
...the store? ...butiga?
...the hospital? ...špitålu?
...the doctor’s office? ...medigu?
...the church? ...besęrika?
Where could I rent a room? Juva ręš putę flå kåmara?
Is there a bus connection to Če-j korjera za męre ân gråd?;
the town? Je kurjera če męže ân četåte? (Ž)
Če-j vrur medig ånč prope?;
Is there a doctor nearby?
Je vrur medig ånča prope. (Ž)
Kum ręš veri la butiga? /
How do I get to the store?
Prende ręš veri la butiga?
Where is the church? Juva-j besęrika?
Âmnåc zdolun pre brig. (formal);
Go down the hill.
Âmnåc na uzdolu pre brig. (Ž) (formal)
Âmnåc zgorun pre brig. /
Go up the hill.
Âmnåc ân sus pre brig. (formal)
Go up / down the road. Boljec sus / žos pre kåle. (formal)
17
 Turn left. Obârnic na livo. (formal)
Turn right. Obârnic na desno. (formal)
Go straight. Âmnåc drito. / Âmnåc råvno. (Ž) (formal)
Take this road. Boljec pre čåsta kåle. (formal)
here, there, over there ånča, kolę, ačija
close, far prope, lårgo; a prope, depårte (Ž)
At the end of the road. Ân kråju de cęsta.
Up the steps. Sus pre škaline.
At the corner. Ân kantun.
At the crossroads. Ân križera. / Ân raskriže.
By the church. La besęrika.
Prope de butiga.;
Next to the store.
A prope de butiga. (Ž)
Across the street from the Priste kåle de besęrika.;
church. Preste kåle de besęreka. (Ž)
De åta bånda de pošta. /
Opposite to the post office.
Preste kåle de pošta.
On top of the hill. Ân vârh de brig.
Over the hill. Preste brig.
How much time does it take Kâte vręme rabę za veri ân grad?;
to get to town? Kât cåjt rabę pârla četåte? (Ž)
It takes five minutes. Rabę pet minuti.
It takes an hour on foot. Rabę o ura pre pičore.
Ask someone at the store. Ântrębåc vrur ân butiga. (formal)
You can see it from here. Putec vedę denča. (formal)
It’s easy to find. Âj lâhko za aflå. / Lâhko je aflå.

18
12 At the restaurant

tavern, restaurant oštarija / restorån

Where can I find a good Juva pok aflå ura bura oštarija /
tavern / restaurant? ân bur restorån?
restaurant with local food oštarija ku domåća hråna
ura cena oštarija /
inexpensive restaurant
ura oštarija juva nu-j drågo
oštarija ku baladuru /
restaurant with a terrace
oštarija ku teråsa
A table for two. Skåndu de doj. / Miza de doj. (Ž)
Please bring me the menu! Rogu va, dučec âm lištra! (formal)
waiter / waitress oštår / oštarica
wine list lištra de vir
I’d like to order. Jo raš råda urdinęi.
main dish obed; merinda (Ž)
dessert dolči / duljče / čeva duljče
What would you like to eat? Če ręc råda mânkå?
What would you like to Če ręc råda bę? (formal); Če ręc råd
drink? popi? (Ž) (formal)
Can you recommend a good Če potec priporânči vrur bur vir?
wine? (formal)

Which wine is good? Kårle vir je bur?

white wine åb vir
red wine negru vir
19
 A bottle of wine, please. Va rogu, o boca de vir. (formal)
beer bira
a glass of water ur mižol de åpa; ân glåž de åpa (Ž)
a bottle of water o boca de åpa
I didn’t order this. Jo n-åm čåsta urdinęit.
That's all, thanks. Čåsta-j tot, huåla.
Check, please. Va rogu, dac âm računu. (formal)
Cheers! Salut! / Živili! / Čin-čin!
Enjoy your meal! Dobar tek!; Bohžegnaj! (Ž)
You, too! Bohlonaj! (Ž)
This is tasty! Čåsta-j buro!

13 Food
meat kårne
hen, chicken, chicken galjira, pulaštru / pulju, kårne de
(meat) galjire
cown, beef våka, kårne de våka
calf, veal vicel, kårne de vicel
pig, piglet, pork porku, porkiću, prašćevina
sheep, lamb, lamb (meat) oja, mljelu, kårne de mlje
kozlić, kårne de kozlić;
goat, goat (meat)
kåpra, kårne de kåpra (Ž)
turkey, turkey (meat) pura, puretina
fish riba
bread pâre
20
egg, eggs ov, ovę; ošor, ošore (Ž)
cheese, cheeses kåš, kåš / kåšurle
butter butiro; putâr (Ž)
rice oriž
pasta pašta / testo; bigule (Ž)
vegetables verdura
lettuce salåta
tomato, tomatoes pumidor, pumidori
carrot, carrots merlin, merlin
kokumar, kokumori; kumar,
cucumber, cucumbers
kumari (Ž)
pepper, peppers påprika, påprike
parsley petârsin
cabbage kapuz; vęrze (Ž)
turnip, turnips nåp, nåpurle
fruit fruti; žiru (Ž)
apple, apples mer, męre
orange, oranges narånča, narånče
banana, bananas banana, banane
pear, pears per, pere; hrušva, hrušve (Ž)
grapes grozdi
strawberry, strawberries jagoda, jagode; fråže, fråž (Ž)
fig, figs smokva, smokve
apricot, apricots armulinka, armulinke
peach, peaches briskva, briskve
kreka, kreke; češpa, češpile (plava) /
plum, plums
sliva, slivele (žuta) (Ž)

21
 uskåta kreka, uskåte kreke; uskåta
prune, prunes
češpa, uskåte češpile (Ž)
raisin, raisins ciciba, cicibe; ciziba, cizibe (Ž)
lemon, lemons limun, limuni; lemon, lemone (Ž)
watermelon, watermelons angurija, angurije
cherry, cherries čirišnja, čirišnje
drink de bę / pijåča
water åpa
milk låpte
juice sok
coffee kafe
tea te
wine vir
beer bira
salt såre
pepper popâr
sugar cukor / cukâr
honey mljåre
warm / hot, cold kåd, leden
sweet, sour duljče, ljut
bitter žuhâk / žuhk
salty saråt
spicey picigat; ljut (Ž)

22
14 Shopping
Where can you buy... Juva se pote kumparå...
...clothes? ...roba?
...food? ...hråna?
...furniture? ...mobilija?
...fabric? ...roba na metri?
...antiques? ...stvåri de starina / betâra mobilije?
...books? ...libri; knjige? (Ž)
...stamps? ...mårke?
...postcards? ...kartuline?
...a newspaper? ...đornålu?; cåjtinga? (Ž)
...cigarettes? ...cigareti?
...medicine? ...medižija?
How much is this? Kât sta guštę?
Kât âj...? / Kât sku...?;
How much is / are...?
Kât je...? / Kât âs...? (Ž)
I need a kilo of... Rabę-m o kila de...?
one kilo o kila
half a kilo po de kila
quarter of a kilo ân kuårât de kila
money pinez / pinezi / šoldi
change patakuni / drobni šoldi
cheap, expensive cen, dråg
ripe, not ripe zdril, nu-j zdril; zdriju, nu-j zdriju (Ž)
fresh, old frižâk, betâr / pokvarit
enough dosta / dosti
market mârkåt
store butiga
bakery pekårna; pećnica (Ž)
butcher shop mesnica
pharmacy formačija; špicarije (Ž)
supermarket market
23
 15 Numbers
zero zero / ništica / nula
one ur
two doj
three trej
four påtru
five činč
six šåse
seven šåpte
eight osân; opt (Ž)
nine devet
ten zęče; deset (Ž)
eleven jedanajst
twelve dvanajst
thirteen trinajst
fourteen četârnajst
fifteen petnajst
sixteen šesnajst
seventeen sedâmnajst
eighteen osâmnajst
nineteen devetnajst
twenty dvajset
twenty-one dvajset ši ur
twenty-two dvajset ši doj
twenty-three dvajset ši trej
thirty trideset
forty kvârnar
fifty pedeset
sixty šezdeset
seventy sedândeset
24
 eighty osândeset
ninety devedeset
a hundred sto
a thousand ur miljår / miljåru; ân tisuć (Ž)
miljåru ši sto; jedanajst stotin;
a thousand one hundred
ân tisuć ši sto (Ž)
a thousand one hundred miljåru sto pedeset ši trej;
fifty-three ân tisuć sto pedeset ši trej (Ž)
two thousand doj miljår; doj tisuć (Ž)
ten thousand zęče miljår; deset tisuć (Ž)
a hundred thousand sto miljåri; sto tisuć (Ž)
a million ur miljun / miljunu

16 Telling time
What’s the time? Kâte ure-j?; Kâte ure-s? (Ž)
Šåpte ân damaręc / de damaręca.;
It’s seven in the morning.
Sedâm ur domaręca. (Ž)
It’s two in the afternoon. Do ure dupa podne.
Šåse ure de sęra.;
It’s six in the evening.
Šest ur dela podne. (Ž)
Trej ure za polnoću.;
It’s three in the morning.
Trej ure dupa ponoč. (Ž)
Three o’clock. Trej ure.
A quarter past three. Trej ši kuårâtu.
Half past seven. Šåpte ši podije.; Sedâm ši po. (Ž)
Kuårâtu do šåse.;
Quarter to six.
Ân kuårât do šest. (Ž)
at noon o podne
at midnight o polnoći; o ponoč (Ž)
25
 in the morning ân damaręc; do domaręca (Ž)
in the afternoon dupa podne
in the evening ân sęr; de sęra (Ž)
at night nopta
at dawn de jutrinja / ân zora; de zora (Ž)
The sun is setting. Sorele zahajvę.
The sun is rising. Sorele ješivę.
now kmo / kmoče / akmo
later pokle / maj kâsno / datunče
right away zåjno
soon vręda
It’s late. Âj kâsno.; Amânåt je. (Ž)
It’s early. Âj råno. / Råno-j.
How long? Kâta vręme?
I’m late. Jo sâm kâsno. / Jo kasnes.
I’m early. Jo sâm råno.
Jo sâm ân vręme.;
I’m on time.
Verit-am ân bur cåjt. (Ž)

17 Days and months

Monday ponediljâk; lur (Ž)
Tuesday utorâk
Wednesday sreda / sredu
Thursday četârtâk
Friday petâk; virer (Ž)
Saturday sâmbata
Sunday dumireka
What day of the week is it? Kåra zi-j åze? / Če-j åze?
January antošnjaku; jenar (Ž)
26
February sičânu; febrar (Ž)
March mårâču; mårču (Ž)
April avril; april (Ž)
May måju; måj (Ž)
June pomåjiću; juni (Ž)
July žetvenjak; juli (Ž)
August angušt (Ž)
September poanguštić; setembâr (Ž)
October mihošnjak; oktobâr (Ž)
November martišnjak; novembâr (Ž)
December božićnjak; dicembâr (Ž)
Kâc smo åze de misec?;
What’s today's date?
Kåra zi smo åstez de misec? (Ž)
Åze-j četârtâk dvajset ši doj de
Today is Thursday,
poanguštić.; Åstez je četârtâk
September 22.
dvajset ši doj de setembâr. (Ž)
today åze; åstez (Ž)
yesterday jer
tomorrow mâre
week šetimåna; ćedân (Ž)
month misecu
year ånu
this year sta ån
last year ån
next year åtile ån
working day delavna zi
holiday fešta; pråznik (Ž)

27
 18 Describing things and people
head kåpu
hair (on the head or body) peri
neck čerbiča
shoulder, shoulders umeru, umerle
arm, arms mâra, mârle
body životu
chest kljeptu
leg, legs pičoru, pičorle
finger, fingers žåžetu, žåžetele
elbow, elbows kuvetu, kuvetele
knee, knees žerunjklju, žerunjklji
bottom kuru
back hârbâtu
waist påsu
fist, fists punja, punjele
heal, heals peta, petele
foot, feet pičoru, pičorle
belly folele
throat gutu
eye, eyes oklju, oklji
ear, ears uręklja, urekile
nose nåsu
mouth gura
tooth, teeth dinte, dinci
eyebrow, eyebrows žåna, žånele
28
forehead frunta
cheek, cheeks obråzu, obråzele
chin bårba
big, small måre, mik
good, bad bur, slab / poredân / tâmân (Ž)
pretty, ugly mušåt, grumb
tall, short visok, nizâk
thin, fat tânâk / mâršav, grås
old, young betâr, tirar / tirer
old, new betâr, nov
long, short lung, skurt
fast, slow žvelt, nu-j žvelt; lešt, len (Ž)
smart, stupid påmetân, štupidast / bedast
black negru
white åb
gray siv / sivast
red rojšu
blue blav / modrast
yellow žut; gåbir (Ž)
green zelen
orange narånčast; narånžast (Ž)
purple lilast
brown kafen / kafetast
light, dark ćår, škur
multicolored, single color šår, ur kolur; ân kolur (Ž)

29
19 Other useful expressions
Good luck! Srićno!
Congratulations! Čestitke!
Good job! Bravo!
Merry Christmas! Bur Božić! / Srićân Božić!
Happy New Year! Strićno Novo leto! / Bur ån!
Happy Easter! Bur Vâzâm!; Bur Vazâm! (Ž)
Happy birthday! Srićân rojendan! / Čuda ånj de život!
All the best! Tot maj bire!
Be well! Stę bire! / Ståc bire! (informal/formal)
Good! Bire!
My condolences! M-je žå! / Kuråj!
I’m very sorry. M-je ćåro žå. / M-je jåko žå.
Sâm kuntenta (kuntent) zå te. (feminine
I’m happy for you.
[masculine]); Drågo m-je de tire. (Ž)

1 In the southern villages, se is often replaced by ne, which corresponds to Žejanski

na. This is true for all examples in this section.

2 (Ž) marks expressions more often used in Žejane.

3 Žejanski va corresponds to ve in the southern villages.

Introduction 3
About the Language 3
Pronunciation 4
1 Greetings 5
2 Thank you and please 5
3 Starting a conversation 6
4 Introductions 7
5 Welcoming guests 8
6 Getting to know each other 8
7 Question Words 11
8 Family 12
9 On the phone 14
10 Needs and feelings 15
11 Getting around 17
12 At a restaurant 19
13 Food 20
14 Shopping 23
15 Numbers 24
16 Telling time 25
17 Days and months 26
18 Describing things and people 28
19 Other useful expressions 30